Rising LB Tony Rojas has made physical transformation during time at Penn State

Originally posted on Basic Blues Nation
By Morgan Chapman | Last updated 2/14/24

The Penn State football team has a certain standard passed down each year for the linebacker position. With more veteran players heading to the NFL, the young core needs to step up. Players such as Abdul Carter, Kobe King, and now Tony Rojas will step into a more prominent role in 2024. The sophomore understands the tradition and the standard that has been set at LBU. But it’s the incredible progress that Rojas has made in the weight room that is equally as impressive.

Penn State football 2nd year LB reveals offseason progress

On Tuesday, many of the Penn State football 2nd-year players got a chance to speak to the media. One of the more anticipated players that everyone wanted to hear from was Tony Rojas. He was able to make a significant impact during his true freshman season on and off the field.

Starting with his weight increase since he enrolled early last January. Rojas stepped on campus weighing 190 pounds and got up to 220 pounds ahead of the 2023 season. Now, he reveals that he’s added additional weight, and he is up to 232 pounds heading into the 2024 Spring Ball. Adding 42 pounds in about a year to play linebacker in the Big Ten is a credit to the strength and conditioning staff at Penn State.

LB Tony Rojas understands the Linebacker U standard.

In his first season, he had 18 total tackles, an interception and forced fumble. Wants to grow as a leader & player in Year 2… got to campus at 190 & has gained weight to 232.

Sophomore szn loading #LBU @CoachAllenPSU pic.twitter.com/u5lvBFxB8W

— Allie Berube (@allieberube) February 13, 2024

Rojas understands the standard at LBU

Tradition is passed down year after year. But most importantly that tradition needs to be carried on by the newcomers on the roster. At Penn State, that tradition is playing linebacker the right way, and that position unit is one of the country’s best each year.

When explaining that tradition at LBU, Rojas said, “The role modes Dom DeLuca and Curt [Curtis Jacobs]. They really helped me when I got in, and they just put me in good spirits. The leadership they had made me the person I am now. I’m more of a leader, I’m more vocal. So, I just feel like in LBU itself, there’s a standard you can’t go below.”

This article first appeared on Basic Blues Nation and was syndicated with permission.

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